Specialist Pain Physio Clinics in Surrey & Central London are dedicated to the treatment of pain, chronic pain and injury such as back pain, neck pain, whiplash, complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, tendon pain and recurring sports injuries. The Specialist Pain Physio blog provides regular updates about pain, science and health highlighting the latest research and thinking in this fast changing field.

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

TENS & Sports Injuries

TENS is a safe and non-invasive treatment modality that involves the application of a low-voltage electrical current to the skin to afford pain relief. Originally TENS was based on Melzack & Wall's 'Gate Theory of Pain' whereby stimulation of large peripheral nerves would block the danger signals from the smaller nerves that send danger signals to the spinal cord. We now understand far more about how TENS works including effects upon the central nervous system and the different chemicals that are released throughout the nervous system that underpin pain relief.

For both acute and chronic sports injuries TENS can play a role in relieving the painful symptoms. Of course when we injure ourselves it is completely normal for it to hurt on the basis that pain is a protective measure and a warning sign. However, to control the symptoms with TENS makes for greater comfort, facilitating normal movement and recovery. TENS has also been linked with promoting tissue healing which would be advantageous following a sports injury.

The settings on the TENS machine are important and therefore one should seek guidance on the most appropriate parameters and location for the pads following a sports injury.'

Twitter

About the clinics

Richmond set up the Specialist Pain Physio clinics in London to meet the needs of those who suffer pain, chronic and persisting pain, recurring injuries and chronic conditions.
Bespoke treatment programmes for pain are based upon the integration of traditional physiotherapy with the latest neuroscience (body, mind and brain) to target the source of your pain, restore activity levels and optimise quality of life.